Pataki Won’t Take Blame For Democratic Tsunami

Fielding questions from reporters in Washington, D.C., Gov. George Pataki would not concede that New York Republicans have done a poor job coming up with a challenger for Sen. Hillary Rodham Clinton, D-NY.

Nor would he accept the blame for what one reporter contended would beÂ a “Democratic tsunami” in November.

Pataki said the GOP has two good candidates against Clinton, although he did not name either John Spencer or K.T. McFaland. He noted the difficulty his party faces in a state with 2 million more Democrats and said he did not run for the Senate because he likes being governor and has plenty to do before he steps down at year’s end.

The governor also weatheredÂ some hollering from the back of the National Press Club luncheon when he was trying to explain the blackout in Queens last month.

During the outburst, Pataki discussed the importance of freedom of speech, and then proceeded to talk about the electricity failures.
Members of the Transit Worker’s Union apparently were in town to criticize Pataki about their lack of a contract.Â The shouter, who said she was withÂ Local 100 of the TWU,Â yelled that Pataki was responsible for the transit worker’s strike in New York City. She was escorted out of the hall by police.

A Hearst Washington Bureau reporter said she and others from the union claimed to have purchased tickets to the lunch. The union traveled to Washington, D.C. to alert people that Pataki would make a bad president, union members told reporters.

Pataki joked that the protesters made him feel like he was back in New York.

“I feel extremely good about New York compared to where it was eleven and a half years ago,” Pataki said, noting lower crime, better credit rating and improved employment opportunities.